Classes of permits

(a) There shall be four classes of falconry permits: Apprentice; general; master; and, non-resident. (b) Apprentice class. (1) The commissioner may issue an apprentice class permit to any person who meets the requirements specified in section 26-67e-3(a) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies; is at least 14 years old; has written approval of a parent or guardian if less than 18 years of age; and, has a sponsor who meets the requirements of section 26-67e-7 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies; (2) an apprentice class falconer shall possess only one raptor at any time; (3) an apprentice class falconer shall only possess a red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis), which shall be trapped from the wild in another state by the apprentice under the supervision of the sponsor; (4) an apprentice class falconer shall not obtain from the wild more than one red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) for replacement during any twelve-month period beginning on January 1 and ending on December 31; (5) an apprentice class falconer shall maintain a written log describing the instruction provided by his or her sponsor. Instruction should include all phases of falconry relating to basic biology, care and handling of raptors, live-trapping techniques, teaching raptors to hunt, and laws and regulations governing falconry; and, (6) an apprentice class falconer shall not fly or hunt their red-tailed hawk alone until the sponsor provides written notification to the apprentice stating that the apprentice is competent to handle the bird without direct supervision. (c) General class. (1) The commissioner may issue a general class permit to any person who meets the requirements in section 26-67e-3(a) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies; is at least 18 years old; submits proof of a minimum of two years experience in the practice of falconry at the apprentice class level, has practiced falconry with their own raptor during at least two hunting seasons; submits written certification from the applicant's sponsor verifying that the applicant satisfies the experience requirement; (2) a general class falconer shall possess in aggregate only two raptors at any time; (3) a general class falconer may possess raptors from any category specified under section 26-67e-13 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies; and, (4) a general class falconer shall not obtain from any category specified in 26-67e-13 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies more than two raptors for replacement birds during any twelve-month period beginning on January 1 and ending on December 31. (d) Master class. (1) The commissioner may issue a master class permit to any person who meets the requirements in section 26-67e-3(a) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies; submits proof of having at least five years experience in the practice of falconry at the general class level; and, submits written recommendations from three master falconers stating that the applicant meets the qualifications of a master class falconer; (2) a master class falconer shall possess in aggregate only three raptors at any time; (3) a master class falconer may possess raptors from any category specified in 26-67e-13 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies; and, (4) a master class falconer shall not obtain from any category specified in 26-67e-13 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies more than two raptors taken for replacement birds during any twelve-month period beginning on January 1 and ending on December 31. (e) Non-resident class. (1) The commissioner may issue a non-resident class permit to any person who meets the requirements of 26-67e-3(b) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies. (2) A non-resident falconer shall only possess, while in Connecticut, the approved raptor species specified in 26-67e-13 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies and which are identified on their falconry permit.